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Religious: No substitute for family
Pastor Don Porter
for South Peace News
As we have moved into a new year and a new decade I am reminded of family. Try all you like, you simply cannot find a substitute for the family. God planned it that way! There is nothing on Earth that comes close to the benefits derived from relationships revolving around our roots. Nothing!
Edith Schaeffer’s book ‘What Is a Family?’ offers some wise and meaningful answers about the family and home she refers to as the birthplace of creativity. She says a family is:
* a shelter in the time of storm;
* a perpetual relay of truth;
* a door that has hinges and a lock;
* an educational control;
* a museum of memories;
Sometimes those family memories are absolutely hilarious. I remember reading about an incident around a family supper table. Before supper began the father suggested to his son that he should serve his sister (she was four) before he served himself. Naturally, he wondered why, since the platter of chicken sat directly in front of him. . .and he was hungry as a lion. Dad explained it is polite for guys to serve girls before they serve themselves. The rule sounded weird, but he was willing. . .as long as she didn’t take too long.
Well, you’d never believe what occurred. After prayer, he picked up the huge platter, held it for his sister, and asked which piece of chicken she wanted. She relished all that attention. Being quite young, however, she had no idea which piece was which. So, very seriously, she replied, “I’d like the foot.” He glanced in his father’s direction, frowned as the hunger pains shot through his stomach, then looked back at her and said, “Uh. . .Mother doesn’t cook the foot!”
She studied the platter and said, “OK, just give me the hand.”
By now their mother and father were biting their lips to refrain from laughing out loud. . .and by then Dad was headed for the bathroom. He couldn’t hold his laughter any longer. His son was totally beside himself. His sister was totally frustrated, not being able to get the piece she wanted.
That did it! He reached in, grabbed a piece, and said, “That’s the best I can do!” He gave her the breast.
Families and fun go together like whipped cream on a hot fudge sundae. Other times those family memories are deeply profound and stabilizing. Who can ever forget the impact of a father’s strong arms around the shoulders of his kids following the loss of someone they all loved?
Or the comfort communicated by a mother’s embrace?
Or the hope generated through a family discussion when stress had reached an all-time high?
Or how about those occasions when you needed to talk. . .to let it all out. . .and a brother or sister was willing just to listen without preaching or even frowning?
Families and encouragement mix well together. Occasionally, God gives a family memory that becomes so deep a crease in the brain time can never erase it.
Psalm 127 says if God doesn’t build the home it is built in vain. Three questions emerge from this discussion:
1. Is the Lord really building your home? Stop and think.
2. Do you view the kids as His gift, His reward? Gifts and rewards in life are usually treated with special care, you know.
3. Are you genuinely happy with your full quiver? Is it pleasant for the family to be with you?
It isn’t a question of “Am I building memories?” but “What kind?” Start this week. Right away, in fact. How about tonight? Get reacquainted with those folks who live under your roof and eat at your table and bear your name. . . and prefer you to any substitute.
Remember, God planned it that way!
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